New survey shows decline in Lula's approval ratings

The approval ratings of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration have declined despite positive economic figures, a new survey shows.

In a survey of 2,000 people pollster Quaest conducted between September 25 and 29, 32% of respondents rated Lula's administration good or excellent, 33% average and 32% bad or very bad, compared to 36%, 30% and 30%, respectively, in July.

A survey released last month also showed a decline in Lula's approval ratings.

The results are a concern for the government as they come amid an improving economy, with GDP performance in the first half of the year being better than expected and the country having recorded low unemployment rates, among other recent positive developments.

However, in the most recent survey, 41% said the economy has deteriorated in the last 12 months, compared with 36% in the July survey.

"The government is not managing to take advantage of the good economic performance for its approval ratings. What explains most of this is a very negative feeling that the middle class has about the Lula administration, which is not easily reversed," André Pereira César, a political analyst at Hold Consultoria, told BNamericas. "The Brazilian middle class sees the current government as an inefficient administration with a lot of appetite for raising taxes and this feeling ends up spreading to some sectors of the lower social classes as well." 

The survey showed that the population's negative perceptions regarding the federal government are concentrated in three areas: price increases, the perception that the government does not do what it promised and is associated with cases of corruption, and increased taxes.

On the other hand, the positive perceptions are more associated with social programs and measures to support the renegotiation of debts of individuals.

"What is most worrying for Lula is that his approval ratings could worsen, as economic activity is expected to decelerate in the coming month," said César.

Analysts and the government have revised GDP projections upward this year, and are now expecting growth of around 3%, mainly after positive data in the first half of this year. However, recently the central bank began tightening monetary policy to contain future inflationary pressures, which could negatively impact economic activity in 2025.